The World Bank has officially approved a $300 million financing package to aid more than 3.5 million internally displaced persons and their host communities in Northern Nigeria through the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities.
Northern Nigeria has experienced prolonged conflict that has forced millions from their homes, placing extraordinary pressure on local infrastructure and basic services, especially in selected Local Government Areas hosting large numbers of IDPs. The influx has exacerbated vulnerabilities, increased competition for scarce resources, and deepened economic hardship for both displaced persons and the resident communities.
Unlike earlier short-term recovery efforts such as the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project ,MCRP, the SOLID project focuses on sustainable, long-term solutions. It prioritizes building climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting social cohesion through participatory development planning, and supporting livelihoods that integrate IDPs with host communities. The program also aims to strengthen local and state government capacities to respond effectively to demographic changes caused by displacement.
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Matthew Verghis, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, highlighted that the project’s integrated design aligns with Nigeria’s National IDP Policy and the Federal Government’s long-term development vision. “This initiative has tremendous potential to help Nigeria address development challenges associated with protracted displacement in a sustainable way,” he said, emphasizing the transition from humanitarian dependency to resilience and economic self-reliance for affected populations.
The financing will be provided as a loan under terms yet to be disclosed, requiring repayment by Nigeria over time. The project is expected to directly benefit up to 7.4 million people, including around 1.3 million IDPs, through a coordinated, community-driven approach involving federal, state, and local governments as well as international partners.
Task Team Leaders Fuad Malkawi and Christopher Johnson called SOLID central to addressing the ongoing displacement crisis, stating it will close critical gaps in infrastructure and service delivery while promoting sustainable economic outcomes for displaced and host populations alike.
The World Bank and Nigerian government view this initiative as key to moving Northern Nigeria from a state of crisis and emergency relief to one of stability, resilience, and inclusive growth, marking a vital step in improving lives and livelihoods in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions.
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